is it not dreadful to think that my darling mother is in danger. I fear my dear Donald when you hear that Mama is so ill you will get very anxious. I should not have mentioned it had I not felt sure that you would hear of it some other way. There is one thing which I entreat you my dear husband not to do. Do not, as you value your wife's happiness, risk your life in a vessel or fatigue yourself by hurrying overland as I am afraid in your anxiety for